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Are you a “first-class” or a “second-class” citizen? Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist duo Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele investigate how “government for the few at the expense of the many” is the rule, not the exception, in the United States. While this article dates to 2000, its message is as true today as it was at the time of publication: The wealthy and special interest groups buy influence, while everyone else plays by the rules. While always politically neutral, getAbstract recommends this article to policy makers, politicians and concerned citizens.

In this summary, you will learn

How big donations to politicians benefit the contributors,

How campaign spending has created “first-class” and “second-class” citizens, and

How special interest clauses in bills create undue hardship on citizens.

About the Authors

Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele are collaborative American investigative journalists and authors.

Summary

If you want to get “favorable treatment” in the United States, you need two things: money and connections. To be exact, you need to donate your money to the political campaigns of members of Congress and whoever is in the White House, and don’t forget about the lobby groups. If you do this, “success...